Katie Waissel: X Factor became about turning people’s opinions around

Katie Waissel – one of the least popular X Factor contestants on the last series – talks to Metro about her experience on the show, being a little full of herself, and her grandmother, who was revealed as an escort during the competition.

Katie Waissel says she doesn’t know what her 82-year-old grandmother is doing but hopes she is being safe (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Were there moments on the X Factor when you thought: ‘Why have I applied to take part in this?’

We all had those moments. There were some times press-wise when I thought: ‘Oh God, what am I doing?’ but you’ve got to look on the bright side and there was a lot of love out there. I’ve got my family and friends and there was a lot of support on Twitter. I didn’t want to give up.

Did the best person win?

Everyone who got into the final was very talented and whoever would have won would have been amazing. Matt deserved to win as much as anyone else did.

Why did you apply to go on the show? You’d had previous experience working on projects in the music industry.

Yes, but everyone else did too. Clearly if I was a big deal why would I have gone on the X Factor? We all wanted a recording contract and I’ve got a passion for singing and songwriting. I watched it and wanted to take part in it. No one knew how far they’d get when they applied.

What was the first record you bought?

Backstreet’s Back by the Backstreet Boys, on a tape. I wouldn’t say it’s left an impact on the songs I write – I won’t be going down the Backstreet Boys route.

What was the first song you wrote?

I was 15 and it was called Come On Home. It was about finding yourself and differentiating between who you are and who you want to be. You can get lost and it was about focusing on what you want to do.

That sounds a bit angsty…

I’ll take that as a compliment. I’ve kept journals since I was young. I wrote down everything that was going on. Maybe I’ll revive it and use some of the lyrics – it was quite intense.

What’s the worst gig you’ve ever done?

In front of 15 people eating their dinner in a restaurant in Camden. I was 17. I remember singing and playing the piano and watching my mum eating a burger. I’ve played in so many bars and restaurants. I didn’t do requests because I couldn’t play covers. I only knew Natural Woman and Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game.

Why do you think you were so unpopular on the show?

I don’t know. I ask myself the same question. Do you know?

You did come across as a little bit full of yourself…

I hope I didn’t in the live shows. People forget it’s an entertainment show and it’s edited. When it came to the live shows, it was more about turning people’s opinions around rather than winning it for me. I don’t expect everyone to like me. I’m just a human being with a passion for music. I was nervous when I left the show but people’s reactions have been wonderful.

How have the gigs since the show been?

Great. All the Waissel Warriors have come along. I do some of the songs I sang on the show and I’ve been doing my own material. It’s sort of like an early No Doubt sound, I’m a fan of ska and rock but I love jazz so there’s some of that on it. It’s a mixture of everything.

During the competition it emerged that your grandmother worked as an escort. Have you patched things up?

I’ve been busy with this tour so we haven’t had a big family meeting. She’s 82 years old so whatever she’s doing I hope she’s being safe.

What was the last dream you had?

I was naked in a supermarket and Tinie Tempah was there doing his shopping. I just remember thinking: ‘I hope no one takes pictures.’

If you could talk to a dead celebrity in a séance who would it be?

Freddie Mercury, he’s a big hero of mine.

What’s the worst job you’ve had?

In a bakery. There was nothing to do apart from eat jam doughnuts and I had to wear an orange hat.